Here's What's Been Happening Over Christmas Break

Madi and Daisy played....

and played....

and played...

Madilyn was the only one to brave the cold weather and snow. Daisy was happy to have a playmate.

Madi standing by the christmas tree that I couldn't wait to put outside because it was dropping pine needles in the most severe way. Ryan is in the background shoveling snow. We got 12" that day.

Cody got a new bike!!

Emma with her long awaited much anticipated, table and chairs. She was happy to share with her brother.

Madi and her new desk.

So excited about her tinkerbell dress.

Emma showing off her crafts from pre-school. Our humble abode is adorned with her handmade decorations.

Baby's first Christmas....My niece Harlyn Marie Waldron was born christmas morning....To Kurt and Jeana.

Polar Express Day

This morning Madilyn told me that Grandma Dub wanted a picture next to the train in the hallway at school A.K.A the Polar Express. I was expecting something way different but here it is. Here is the Polar Express. The students wrote stories and then they lined the walls with them for this afternoon festivities which will include reading the book, watching the movie, boarding the hallway train. There will be a conductor to take their tickets. Then they will be served hot chocolate with a candy cane to stir it with. They have been listening to the soundtrack for the past couple of weeks. Sounds like fun!! Here she is bright and early ready to begin Polar Express day in her jammies

Cute story huh? Sorry part of the second page was cut off. It was stapled kinda funny. I remember when I was about Madilyns age, loving the story of the Polar Express. I went as far as to ask for a sleigh bell one year. Santa instead brought me the bell he rang down the chimney tops. I still have it. Santa even wrote a little letter inside. I love the magic of the christmas season. May we always "believe" and remember the true meaning.

Cody the Impersonator

I don't mean to go overboard with the grinch videos but Ryan liked this one so I thought I'd add it. Make sure to turn the volume up to get the full affect. Short and sweet......I mean Grinchy!!

Where Are You Christmas

Ever since my dear Cody saw the Grinch who stole Christmas, he has been walking around saying "I hate Christmas, I hate it" immitating the scene in the classroom when he was a little boy. I think he sounds just like him. (To bad my cameras battery died toward the end.) Madi made the mask at school because today was "Grinch Day" Her class was to dress in all green, eat green jello, do whoville spelling and all sorts of fun things. Her teacher gave them all name tags with new whoville names. Madilyns who name is Mellifluous Madilyn Ozzle-Glew-Who. I guess her teacher found a website where you type in your name and it gives you a who name...Cute. She had a fun day. Tomorrow is Polar Express day. They get to wear pajamas and watch the movie Polar Express. I'll post more about that later. Then Friday is her class party and secret Santa exchange. Emma is officially on Christmas break...Yea!!

Smile!!

I decided to take a few snapshots as we were on our way out the door for church. My Mom sent these cute christmas outfits. I should've had Madi take off her sweater.....It's such a sassy dress. What's with the feet??

Smile!!!

My 3 little elves

Merry Christmas To You, from Us!

The Joys of Motherhood

I love being a Mom to Madilyn, Emma and Cody!! They teach me more than I could ever teach them. They bring me so much Joy. They give me purpose.

Cody has been so funny lately. Today he was acting like the wicked witch from the wizard of oz. He got the broom and started quoting lines from the movie and then he told me to say one. So I turned on my most witchy cackley voice and said " I'll get you my little pretty, and your little dog too. hahhahaWAhahaha" his eyebrows did this funny thing and then he got mad at me and said "you scared me mom!!" He looked at me and said in his most witchy voice "I'll get you my wittle Mom and your wittle 'Hemma' too" he started walking away and then turns and says "and your wittle Madi" Oh I could've died laughing......you had to be there. I can't believe how smart he is and how well he talks. He's quite the conversationalist.

Emma is her usual doll self. She is adored by all. She is quite popular at preschool. She has been proposed to by 2 different boys and kissed on the hand by another. There are only 2 other girls in her class so you can imagine how the boys fight over her. Today she said "It's starting with T.J. now" I said "what is?" she said "He's been eating his snack by me, that's always how it starts...he's going to ask me to marry him like the other boys did.....that's how it started with them." Boys go crazy over her!! She has a couple of boys at church that like her too. I know this is a sign of things to come. On Sunday her primary teacher told me she is quite opionated and was sharing a lot in class. Her teacher gave her a toy from a happy meal that sings "you've got to move it, MOVE IT" and I was told she was dancing to it. When we got home I asked her to show me how she was dancing and it was so funny....a little prvocative, I might add. She cracks me up! also, I love to watch her and Cody play. Emma teaches him like Madi teaches her. It's so cute.

Madilyn continues to excell in school. She is such a good student, and the smartest. She amazes me. She's finally found someone she considers a good friend so she seems more excited to go to school. She has a crush on these brothers at church, they are 10 and 13. She says "when I look at them I see equal signs in my eyes" I guess that means she likes them the same. It hasn't always been that way. It started with the older one and then he shaved his head and she couldn't handle it so she started liking his brother, THEN when his hair started growing back she decided to like him again....TOO so she likes them both!! SHHHH don't tell her I told you.

Just wanted to share a quick little personal story. Let me start by saying, I'm always paranoid that I won't wake up to my kids needful cry in the night so I always pray that the Holy Ghost will wake me if one of my kids need me. I am comforted in knowing that these prayers are heard even for the simplest things. Sometimes I'll wake up right before I am needed. Sometimes I wake up to find a child crying so quietly and afraid. Sometimes I awake and go check on my child and arrive just in time to catch them as they are falling out of bed. Some call it Mother's Intuition I call divine intervention. Most the time it is someting very simple that many would suggest a coincidence but I feel differently, especially after my wake up call last week. Madi was going to bed and I noticed she had her "Dog chain" necklace on. I asked her to take it off and i watched her do so. She was having a bad night so Ryan put her in our bed and ended up sleeping in Madi's bed. Well during the night for no apparent reason I woke up to myself reaching over to her. I remember not being "all there" I reached to push her hair out of her face and during this I noticed that she had something wrapped around her neck....TIGHT!! I sat up, sat her up and sure enough it was her dog tag necklace, chain whatever you want to call it. How could this be?? I had watched her take it off earlier.....sneaky!! You know how those chains are. They have those little balls that lock into knots. I was sickened by the thought of what could have happened. Thank heavens I woke up.

Ryan lives on the edge

Ryan came home from work the other day and proceeded to tell me about his day and then as an after thought he says "oh ya, you wont believe what happened to me today." I re-tell this story out of complete compassion for my dear husband. My love for him soars far beyond the highest star. I don't mean to embarrass the man but his story must be told.....

Ryan called his client to inform her that he would be stopping to service her property. When he arrived he noticed her window was broken. He calls his client to inform her of what he sees, since she currently lives out of state. She was very thankful for him calling to inform her etc... As he enters the home he enters the security code on the home security system that he has done so many times but this time he accidentally hit a wrong number. Loud, horrible noises started blaring from the home.....BEEEEP......PPAARRPP......BEEEPP......PPAARRPP!!!! Terrible ear piercing noises that according to Ryan could be heard for miles and I believe him. Oh man, can you imagine the horror?? So I ask him with concern in my voice "Well, did you call the owner?" his ever so casual response was "No I had already called her twice" So I then said "So what did you do? " I just did my work" Those who know Ryan can picture this...right? He continues through the BBEEPS and the PPAARPS, just spraying away I'm sure thinking about how many other stops he had to do. He had no time to deal with the PAARRRPS and the BEEEPS. We all know Ryan he is a very busy man. As he comes out of the house or should I say mansion with a broken window he turns a corner and you guessed it!!! a cop. Listen to this.... not just a cop but a cop pointing his semi automatic at Ryan (insert *gasp* or #$%!) Ryan starts to back up with his spray gun in hand. Luckily the cop didn't react quickly thinking it was a different kind of gun. Ryan begins to explain himself and showed proof of the work order etc... meantime the owner was called a third time but she is really sweet and loves Ryan so she wasn't mad or anything. She sent her cousin over to make all the noises stop. It took him several attempts before the BEEEPS and PAAARPS came to an end. How embarassing!! and how scary to be staring down the barrel of a semi automatic. I'm So glad things didn't turn out differently. Moral of this story, If you ever accidentally set off somebodys home security system, do take the time to step outside and call the owner so they can notify the proper authority even if you've already called them twice!! Love you Ryan...even though you live on the edge!! Sorry you always have such bad luck!

Thanksgiving in Utah

Look at Cody's face. That's the look he has right before he does something sneaky....like start it and put in gear. The 3 little chipmunks took a cruise around town on Uncle Matt's 4 wheeler. I wish I would've taken more pictures during our Thanksgiving festivities!! We had a good time and a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It was so good to see family. We love going to Logan!! We often wonder why we don't live there. Maybe when the kids go to USU we'll move there too. Anyway, as usual it was a fun time. (We love waking up to Grandma O's french toast. )Now it's on to Decking the Halls!! It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Did I mention that Ryan had to turn around after work and drive to Idaho Falls for work? Poor Guy. He drives soo much, at least he doesn't have 3 fighting kids a puppy and a backseat driver with him. That must make his travels a little easier, but still that's a lot of driving in just a few days.

Little Daisy

Here is our new puppy. Isn't she cute?? The kids love her, Especially Madilyn. We had a "ruff" night last night. After the long drive home from Utah, the kids were exhausted but not Daisy. Finally at about 1 A.M she settled down and she slept on the couch with me. She was my little foot warmer. She got up about every 45 minutes to go outside....sometimes just to play for a minute. I was worried about leaving her outside in the low 20's without a dog house or other puppies to snug with. She would have loved to stay out all night. So tonight we made a fort in the garage with a big blanket and a toy. Hopefully she sleeps better. I wish I had her winter coat!! By the way, June likes her new playmate. Madi has a new best friend

They played all day!!!

Even Ryan cannot resist her cuteness.

This Just Might Make You Cry

I did not write this.

*Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
*Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
*Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
*Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
*Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
*Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
*Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
*Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
*I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, And the mothers and fathers who are struggling to have a baby of their own.
*And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.............

"Evening of Thanksgiving"

Madi's 2nd grade Thanksgiving program was so cute. We got there 20 minutes early but that wasn't early enough to get a good seat. I had to stand in the back so I could see her better. Ryan and Emma stayed put. Doesn't she look so grown up. Emma told her she looked like a mom and Madi thought she looked like a Teacher. I think she looked beautiful. Notice at the end of the video....she's asking to wear her favorite pair of jeans....again!! It's a never ending battle. When I don't let her wear them she cries all morning and constantly asks if they are clean yet. Ugghh! I mean we all have our fave pair of jeans but come on....Seriously.....calm down.

Finally!!

Cody's haircut was long over due. I promised him if he was a good boy I would buy him a happy meal. Well, that wasn't good enough. He told me he wanted a balloon too. Fine...whatever. It was truely a miracle. I didn't think he would do it because up until we walked in the door he was saying No, NO haircut, it hurts! As soon as we walked in he walked right up to the lady before she even greeted us. He was ready. He climbed up in the chair by himself and sat there with a huge smile on his face. I still can't believe it. Those who know Cody, know he doesn't just sit there with a smile onhis face, especially when getting a haircut. He surprised me. Whe he was done he said I love my haircut and srutted out the door with his sticker. Then we went to the dollar store to get his balloon and then to McDonalds for his happy meal.

A happy meal for a happy boy!! Good job Cody!!

Mom and Dad,
Thank You so much for coming to see us!! It was so good to have you in our home. The kids were so glad you came. You could not have come at a better time. Thanks for all the groceries, goodies and everthing else. You always seem to make our life easier. You are such amazing parents and grandparents. We are so lucky to have you!! We wish you lived closer.....We Love You!!.....
Happy Anniversary!! (belated) My parents were married on Nov. 2nd.....35 years ago.

Home is where the Heart is....

My Parents and Newt came out for a visit. It was so good to see them. The kids loved having them here.

It's been awhile since we've taken a picture together.

Newt was writing their names on rocks and they threw them in the lake. That was a hit!

Always my little brother....although he's not so little anymore!

Madi in her favorite pair of jeans.

Cody about to throw a tantrum....

Here is Ryan trying to make Cody happy. He might have to stand on his head.

Oh... Emma wants her Dad.

Tree climbing at the creek

I love this picture!!

Look at Cody and Newt.....So cute!

Cody's about to take off running for the ducks

Emma finally has her Dad.

Happy Birthday....Babe

Ryan turned 32 yesturday!! Whoa! He's getting old. Madi made him a card with "Awesome age" written all over it. Emma made a card and taped a couple quarters on it. So sweet! I love when they make cards....priceless. Ryan had a pretty good Birthday. He got everything he asked for. A couple Louis L'amour books and a couple thermal shirts. What else does a dad need? Maybe next year he'll get a flat screen TV or a new car....maybe.

Ok, I know Cody's hair is long. He often is mistaken for a girl....by elderly people....even in his "boy" clothes. Most people love his hair and say not to cut it. What do you think.....besides a trim, do you think I should cut his hair...short?

I Am a Child of God

Madi and Her Bugs

Those who know Madilyn obviously knows that she loves bugs! We got her this bug collection kit for her birthday and it is finally complete. The whole process took her and Ryan about a week. It took a lot of patience and hardwork to get the bugs just right.....Yes, these bugs are real and all the way from Thailand. After receiving the bugs Madi had to follow the directions on how to moisten them...3-5 day process. Then she had to pin them ever so carefully to a styrafoam board just how she wanted them so wings legs antennas all had to be arranged. The butterflies were hard to do. We were so afraid the wings would break. After pinning them in place she had to wait a few days for them to dry.....Then.....She had to pin them in the case.

Didn't she do a good job? She is so proud!! I can't belive she likes these creepy things.

Trick-or-Treat

Cindy Lou Who. Emma turned lots of heads on halloween night....lots of comments and Awwww!

Cody was so excited about his candy! he really got into the trick or treat thing. He ran from house to house and yelled twick o tweet or sometimes it came out tank you tweet. At least he was getting the thank you in.

Madi stayed out a little longer than the little ones. She really worked for her full bucket. Emma and Cody got tired..their buckets were to heavy so I took them home and Ryan stayed out with Madi and our neighbor friends that we went with.

Miss Sweet tooth!! I think this is really why she wanted to come home.....CANDY!

Big Superman....Little Superman. My boys...aren't they the cutest?

As you can see, they did not want their picture taken....Lets go already!! It was such a fun night. Our neighborhood was really festive and spooky. The streets were packed with trick-or-treaters. Our neighbor passed out candy to 96 kids. My new nick name for Emma is Emma lou who. It fits!! She should have entered a costume contest!! She was so cute. when she would run that puffy part on top of her head just bounced all around. After one house she ran up to me giggling and said "I'm afraid of my own shadow." I don't know why it was so fun this year maybe part of it was the weather it was so nice. It was about 70 degrees.... It looked like it was going to rain all day. We lucked out!!